McC VaPer

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BigCasino

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Good Morning Brothers, and Sisters, Well I started off the morning with a cup of Italian Roast from Starbucks beans, and I paired that with a VaPer from MCC, in a smallish semi bent bulldog, I love the taste on the first light, but find myself struggling to find those flavors while I'm smoking, except upon relights which I seem to need to do often,

I rubbed out the flakes and let them sit for about 10 minutes to dry and then tried the "air pocket" method for the first time, think I need more practice on this "pack", altho I did enjoy the smoke, I just can seem to find a consistency

would any of you Guru's have any "Do's and Don'ts" suggestions for me?
Happy Smoking,
Harry

 
First off, Va's are a SUBTLE 'bac and as such the "flavors" take time to develope in the smoke hence the admonition to "sip, sip, sip" them when you smoke 'em. Having smoked most of the McC's Va's, both in the flake/broken flake and ribbon cut form they come in, I've found, FOR ME and MY way of smoking and in MY pipes I smoke them in, that they need MORE drying time than you think is neccessary, especially in the flake/broken flake form. Then I use a sort of three pinch form of loading, first pinch looser than the second and that looser than the last or top pinch. I usually use two matches for the char light with a final tamp and leveling out THEN the final match lights it all and we are off :p Unless you just sit and do nothing but smoke, the bowl WILL go out and you will need to re-light. So what, as it usually just lights right up and we are off and running again. I am not a just sit and smoke smoker, rather a pipe is in my mouth most of the day while I do whatever I'm doing so my bowls do go out, but that's why the lord invented matches :p Va's, no matter what type take a bit more "effort" to smoke than some others, but the subtle flavors are sooo worth the effort for me. Just give it some more try's and remember to slow down and remember, you've got the REST OF YOUR LIFE to learn :p
JMHO :p :p
 
What you described is pretty much what I have been experiencing with the Va, so maybe i am not that far off base with my methods , I do like that light citrus notes I taste on light up, I look for it when I am sipping but do not notice it as much then...

Thanks for sharing your wisdom
Harry
 
Just remember, there is NO ONE WAY to do it. Many various methods to try, and variations on them as well, just take your time, experiment and find a method that works for YOU with THAT tobacco. I don't just use ONE method for ALL my flakes in ALL my pipes. Based on my experience with the 'bac, style and size of pipe, and smoking conditions around me, I vary as I feel I need. This won't happen overnight, only with TIME. Relax, and go for it :p
 
If you wish to stay in the McClellands, I do recommend their Blakeney's Best Arcadian Ribbon for a non-flake VaPer. I just love the stuff. Good smokes.
 
Also, you might want to try smoking that blend in several different pipes. I'm a big VaPer fan and I smoke Escudo in my Big Ben poker, but recently I've been smoking Luxury Bullseye Flake. Although I love my poker, the LBF tastes better in my Calabresi bent brandy. It might be the bigger bowl size, or maybe it's just in my head. Either way, it's worth a try.

Also, I pack VaPers pretty loose for maximum flavor. Again, that's just me. Keep smoking and experimenting. You'll figure it out.
 
The McC broken flakes are the most fussy I find. I haven't had much success with folding and stuffing unless it's really dry. They're quite thick so rubbing out or cubing has given me the best results.

I cracked a jar of 2015 the other day and it's doing very well cubed up at the tin moisture level. Extra tart and ketchupy! Right, Monbla!? :p
 
Not a big fan of McClelland's blends in general, but their St. James Woods I do find to be a lovely smoke, so I'de recommend that. As to the practice of drying baccy out, I don't think it helps to provide a flavourful smoke. To my mind dry tobacco = stale tobbacco. St. James Woods is a broken flake with a bit of moisture in it but I like it best straight out the tin. Just pack it a bit loose, as with any pressed baccy. Lovely morning smoke with black coffee.
 
BigCasino":ujo2b29v said:
What you described is pretty much what I have been experiencing with the Va, so maybe i am not that far off base with my methods , I do like that light citrus notes I taste on light up, I look for it when I am sipping but do not notice it as much then...

Thanks for sharing your wisdom
Harry
Harry, I frequently have the same problem. After the charring light and the first "true" light the taste often goes bye bye for me. Some days I can taste the baccy all day and some days I taste nada. I've stopped smoking on those days or smoke cheap baccy. I mean...if you don't taste it you waste it and why waste the good stuff?.
 
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